The Trump administration has launched an “active re-examination” of every Afghan national who entered the United States during the Biden presidency, following a deadly ambush near the White House that left one National Guard soldier dead and another fighting for his life. The directive comes as officials reveal the suspect—a former CIA-backed fighter—was likely radicalized after arriving in America.
The attack, which occurred just blocks from the Executive Mansion on the eve of Thanksgiving, claimed the life of 20-year-old Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.
Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolf, 24, remains in critical condition, with his family asking the nation for prayers as he battles severe injuries.
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Authorities identified the gunman as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 under “Operation Allies Welcome” following the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul. While Lakanwal had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that investigators believe he was “radicalized since he’s been here in this country,” potentially through local connections.
President Trump, who has labeled the shooter a “savage monster,” wasted no time in pointing the finger at his predecessor.
In a move that signals a hardline shift in immigration policy, Trump announced what he termed a “permanent pause” on migration from specific “third-world countries,” citing national security concerns. The administration contends that the previous system failed to conduct basic criminal or social media screening, leaving the door open for individuals who might harbor anti-American sentiments.
Disturbing details about Lakanwal’s life in the U.S. have also emerged.
Reports indicate he had been spiraling for months before the attack. Acquaintances described him as “off the rails” as early as 2023, noting that he was unemployed, depressed, and that his children often arrived at school in “dirty clothes” and hungry. despite these red flags and a failure to maintain required check-ins, he remained in the country—a gap the new administration vows to close.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who visited Wolf in the hospital, described the atmosphere around the wounded soldier as one of “positive energy” despite the grave circumstances. “Everyone is rooting for him so hard to make it to that next level,” Morrisey said, emphasizing the community’s hope for a miracle.
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As the investigation widens, the DHS has warned that anyone withholding information about the suspect’s radicalization will face justice. “We will be coming after you,” Noem warned.
This tragedy has reignited the fierce debate over the handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and the subsequent vetting of thousands of evacuees, with the Trump White House signaling that the days of “unchecked migration” are over.
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